Here Comes the ... Cat (Deborah Underwood)

Recently, I came across Deborah Underwood’s Here Comes the Tooth Fairy Cat in the new books section of the library.  Immediately, I feel in love with this cheeky character and the deadpan humor. 

The comedic timing between Underwood’s narrator and Claudia Rueda’s illustrations is perfection. Rueda maximizes the effect of the characters with colored-pencil and ink illustrations on blank white space, which keeps the focus on the characters’ wily actions, animated facial expressions, and witty signs. The book is a perfect example of the interconnectedness of illustrations and text that make for an outstanding picture book experience.  

Lots of fun twists and turns keep children and adults entertained. Cat’s sassy banter, silly suggestions, and devious plans are comical.  However, he has a warm and teachable heart underneath that always wins out in the end.

There are four books right now in the series, each culminating in a delightful surprise ending. (I just noticed an announcement on Mr. Schu Reads that the Underwood-Rueda team is working on Here Comes the Teacher Cat.  I cannot wait to see what they come up with for that one.)

You will want to make Cat part of your family holiday and special occasion reading traditions. 

Here Comes the Tooth Fairy Cat

Amazon Summary:

“When Cat loses a tooth, the Tooth Fairy delivers a wholly unwanted sidekick: a mouse. Together, Cat and Mouse are tasked with running a few Tooth Fairy-related errands—a challenge, since Mouse is just as competitive and mischievous and hilariously self-involved as Cat.”

Here Comes Valentine Cat

Amazon Summary:

“Cat does NOT like Valentine's Day. It's much too mushy, and no way is he making anyone a valentine—especially not his new neighbor, Dog. Dog refuses to respect the fence: He keeps tossing over old bones and hitting Cat in the head! But just as Cat’s about to send Dog an angry "valentine" telling him exactly what he can do with his bones, Dog throws a ball over the fence. What is Dog playing at?”

Here Comes the Easter Cat

Amazon Summary:

“Why should the Easter Bunny get all the love? That's what Cat would like to know. So he decides to take over: He dons his sparkly suit, jumps on his Harley, and roars off into the night. But it turns out delivering Easter eggs is hard work. And it doesn't leave much time for naps (of which Cat has taken five--no, seven). So when a pooped-out Easter Bunny shows up, and with a treat for Cat, what will Cat do?”

Here Comes Santa Cat
Amazon Summary:
“Cat took on a bunny in Here Comes the Easter Cat, but now Christmas is coming, and Cat has a hunch he's not on Santa's ‘nice’ list. Which means? No presents for Cat. So he tries to be good, but children, it seems, aren't wild for his brand of gift-giving. Still, Cat might surprise himself, and best of all, he may just get to meet the man in the red suit himself—and receive a holiday surprise of his own.